Today in the Petersburg Campaign: April 4, 1865

The capture of the steamer, Harriet De Ford, near Fair Haven, Chesapeake Bay, MD, as Gen. Robert E. Lee, CSA, sends the courageous Captain Fitzhugh, 5th VA Cavalry and some of his men, in hopes of capturing one of Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s supply vessels, using Maj. John S. Mosby’s men to transport the badly needed supplies to Lee’s men in the trenches around Petersburg and Richmond. Unable to capture the Eolus, Titan, or the Highland Light, Fitzhugh captures the Harriet De Ford, boarding the vessel disguised as wood choppers. Upon moving up the Chesapeake Bay, he hears the guns blasting around Petersburg, which are celebrating the Union victory there. Fitzhugh desperately attempts to get the supplies to Lee, but is pursued by Union gunboats, he runs the vessel aground, taking what supplies he could.

Skirmish at Amelia Court-House, VA, as Gen. Robert E. Lee, CSA, does not receive the much needed supplies at Richmond and Lynchburg to feed his army. Meanwhile, Lee’s route route towards North Carolina is blocked as Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, arrives at Jetersville, which is southwest of Amelia Court-House and his men block the Danville line that way. Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, USA, is closing in from the east, the Appomattox, VA, Campaign.

President Abraham Lincoln visits Richmond, VA, after arriving aboard the USS Malvern, taking time to sit in Jefferson Davis’ chair in the Confederate White House.

Note: All “Today In The Petersburg Campaign” blog entries are used with permission from Ronald A. Mosocco’s Chronological Tracking of the American Civil War per the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion. Order the book HERE.